From tragedy springs oasis: Playground dedicated at slayings site

The Newark schoolyard where three college students were brutally killed last year was a sea of cracked asphalt sprinkled with charred playground equipment.

But yesterday, the playground behind Mount Vernon School featured new slides, rock climbing walls, as well as a running track, basketball courts, and a synthetic football and soccer field.

It is a new beginning, James Harvey said at the dedication of the renovated playground. His son Dashon Harvey was attacked and shot on Aug. 4, 2007, when he was behind the school with Iofemi Hightower and Natasha and Terrance Aeriel. Only Natasha survived the attack.

"The last time I was here was chilling," he said. "Now as I visit the place where my son last experienced life, seeing the finished product, it's calming. It shows what we can do on Earth with a willing heart."

In response to repeated calls to renovate the schoolyard in the aftermath of the tragedy, the Trust for Public Land partnered with the school district, city, community groups, and various philanthropies to rehabilitate the area.

For much of last year the group worked alongside Mount Vernon students to design a play area that would meet the needs of youngsters enrolled at the West Ward school and those living nearby.

Effort and $1.3 million in donations transformed the desolate area behind the school into an oasis for children. In addition to the sports facilities, the schoolyard features an outdoor performance area and a learning garden where students will grow fruits and vegetables.

It was difficult to come back to the scene of her daughter's slaying, but inspiring to see how something positive came out of something so horrible, said Iofemi's mother Shalga Hightower.

"This is about children, making the kids at Mount Vernon feel more comfortable so they aren't always reminded of what took place here," she said. "This is their home away from home, and they should feel safe."

Yesterday's dedication ceremony featured remarks from family members, superintendent Clifford Janey, Mayor Cory Booker and representatives from philanthropies and nonprofit organizations. Students sang and danced to mark the occasion before a ribbon cutting.

Redesigning Mount Vernon's playground is part of the Trust for Public Land's Parks for People-Newark program. The organization hopes to invest $30 million in 11 city parks as part of an effort to address Newark's lack of outdoor recreational space.

In the weeks since the playground was completed there is more school spirit, and kids who once wanted to stay inside for recess are excited to leave the building, seventh-grader Britzy Ramirez said.

But it's also been hard knowing the victims were on the playground when they were shot, she said.

"Their spirits were still here," Ramirez said. "Now we know they are watching us from heaven and protecting us from all bad things."

Renovating the space was important not only because it created needed recreational opportunities for the school's children, but also because its transformation allowed the community to move past the tragedy, principal Bertha Dyer said. Aiding the healing process is the increase in security in and around the school, she said.

Holes in the chain-link fence around the 2.5-acre site have been patched and 16 new cameras have been installed around the perimeter of the property.

"I feel at peace," Dyer said "Last year was difficult, our kids would be fine and then depressed about what happened here. I'm sad it happened, but happy these kids are growing up with something great they can be proud of."

Kasi Addison may be reached at kaddison@starledger.com or at (973) 392-4154.